US News PM's visit to Belfast 'a distraction' - DUP leader

19:25 13 february 2018

19:25 13 february 2018 Source:
Sky News

'No prospect' of NI deal as talks break down

Talks between the leaders of Northern Ireland's two biggest political parties to re-establish a government in Stormont have broken down. DUP leader Arlene Foster said there was "no prospect" of negotiations leading to a new power-sharing agreement.She announced in a statement on Wednesday: "In our view, there is no current prospect of these discussions leading to an executive being formed."It is now incumbent upon Her Majesty's Government to set a budget and start making policy decisions about our schools, hospitals and infrastructure.

DUP leader Arlene Foster today blasted Theresa May' s visit to Belfast as a ' distraction ' from talks to restore powersharing. Speaking outside Stormont last night, the PM said: 'I believe it is possible to see the basis of an agreement here.

Jury in rugby rape trial visit home of Paddy Jackson where alleged crimes took place

The jury in the trial of two rugby players accused of raping the same woman at an after-party in the home of one of the accused has visited the scene of the alleged crimes. Paddy Jackson (26) of Oakleigh Park, Belfast and Stuart Olding (24) from Ardenlee Street, Belfast are each charged with one count of rape in relation to the same woman at a property in south Belfast on June 28 2016. Stuart Olding Both deny the charges. Mr Jackson denies a further charge of sexual assault. Two other men are facing charges regarding the same incident.

The Prime Minister arranged for DUP leader Arlene Foster to be flown back to Belfast in the military aircraft as a favour after she signed last week’ s £1 Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: ‘It is not for the PM to use the RAF as a personal taxi service to help prop up her Government with a dodgy deal.’

"But in fact, the visit yesterday became a bit of a distraction because we had still work to do and we'll continue to do that work today and in the coming days."

Thirteen months after the power-sharing government collapsed, there were hopes the DUP and Sinn Fein could be close to resolving their differences over an Irish Language Act.

But 24 hours after the Prime Minister's engagement with the two largest parties, the gap between them appeared to be widening.

Mrs Foster said: "When Prime Ministers fly in, there's always a sense that things are moving in a particular direction and we have made good progress.

"But people did jump to certain conclusions. There was talk about a free-standing Irish Language Act…but we won't be agreeing to an Irish Language Act…we've always said that was a step too far."

Man in his 30s shot dead in Belfast

A local councillor has condemned the attackEmergency services were called to Glenbawn Avenue in the Poleglass area shortly before 8pm on Tuesday evening, February 13.

PM ' s visit to Belfast ' a distraction ' - DUP leader . Heartbreak for Christie as she crashes in final. Man arrested after woman found dead in flat.

Sinn Fein negotiator, Conor Murphy MLA, responded: "The talks are at a critical stage and Sinn Fein's focus remains on achieving a deal to restore the political institutions.

::Analysis: Sinn Fein leader insists she's nobody's puppet

"However they want to describe it, the DUP know that the agreement requires an Acht Gaeilge (Irish Language Act).

"The DUP need to make up their mind up whether they are up for a deal or not," Mr Murphy added.

Mrs Foster, whose party has been propping up the minority Tory government at Westminster since last summer, played down talk of a breakthrough coming soon.

"Whether it is this week, whether it is in a couple of weeks or whether it is in a couple of months, what I must ensure is that we have an accommodation that everybody feels content with," she said.

Rape trial: Woman tells court kiss with Paddy Jackson was 'not indicative of consent for anything else' .
Today is the fourth day that she has been in the witness box.As she spent her fourth day in the witness box at Belfast Crown Court, the 21-year-old student said the kiss wasn’t “that passionate” and ended when Jackson “start[ed] to undo my trousers”.

DUP leader Arlene Foster today blasted Theresa May' s visit to Belfast as a ' distraction ' from talks to restore powersharing. Speaking outside Stormont last night, the PM said: 'I believe it is possible to see the basis of an agreement here.

The Prime Minister arranged for DUP leader Arlene Foster to be flown back to Belfast in the military aircraft as a favour after she signed last week’ s £1 Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: ‘It is not for the PM to use the RAF as a personal taxi service to help prop up her Government with a dodgy deal.’

LIVE: Barry Bennell guilty of child sex offences - news.sky.com

PM ' s visit to Belfast ' a distraction ' - DUP leader . Heartbreak for Christie as she crashes in final. Man arrested after woman found dead in flat.

Middlesex-based Martin-Baker describes itself on its website as a family-run business and the "world leader in the design and manufacture of ejection and crash-worthy seats". PM ' s visit to Belfast ' a distraction ' - DUP leader .

Bill Clinton and DUP leader Arlene Foster. Former US president Bill Clinton has met Northern Ireland' s political leaders during a visit to Belfast . Mr Clinton had separate engagements with Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster and Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams and the republican

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